Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders attended the launch of a new report by Alzheimer’s Society, The hidden cost of dementia in Wales today 7th July to show their commitment to improving care and support for people living with dementia and their carers.
Janet, joined Sue Phelps, Director of Alzheimer’s Society in Wales and at the National Assembly for Wales to mark the report’s release, which is the first of its kind to provide a financial breakdown of the cost of dementia to society in Wales.
The hidden cost of dementia in Wales report reveals that in 2013 the total cost of dementia in Wales was £1.4 billion, an average cost of £31,300 per person per year.
The report found that people with dementia, carers and their families currently shoulder around two-thirds of the cost themselves. This amounts to £298 million for private care social care, and equivalent to £622 million in providing unpaid care to people with dementia.
Sue Phelps, Director of Alzheimer’s Society in Wales said;
‘There are 45,000 people living with dementia in Wales and dementia is a challenge that cannot be overlooked. Costs of dementia will continue to rise unless we have a system that better supports both people with dementia and their carers.’
‘We are delighted that Janet has shown their commitment today towards supporting people in Aberconwy and across Wales with dementia.
‘We need continued commitment and investment to ensure that we deliver the improvements in care and research that people with dementia and their loved ones deserve. It is important that we do not lose the momentum that has built up over the previous years. This report highlights the need for an appropriately resourced national dementia strategy that prioritises person-centred, integrated care. I hope that we can call upon the support of Janet in our bid for this to become a reality in the next Assembly term.’
Janet attended the drop-in session held for Assembly Members at the National Assembly for Wales to discuss the findings of the report.
Assembly Member Janet Finch-Saunders said:
‘I've attended today to hear more about the findings of the report and to show my support for to people living with dementia and their carers in my constituency in Aberconwy With a growing number of people living with dementia, it's becoming of increasing importance that we find a way of working in collaboration to meet the challenge dementia presents.
Assembly Member Janet Finch-Saunders will also be attending a panel event, Can Wales afford to ignore Dementia? On Tuesday 14th July at the National Assembly for Wales.